Department profile
Intellectual Property
Stephenson Harwood LLP
About
Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP
We advise our clients on a complete range of IP issues. Whether you are looking to determine the extent of your intellectual property rights, exploit their value or protect their integrity, we have the expertise and commitment to ensure that your business' assets are nurtured and protected.
Our team has considerable experience advising clients on both domestic and international issues. We advise on patents, copyright, databases, designs, trade marks, domain names, trade secrets and confidentiality. We have particular strengths in life science and in luxury and consumer brands, building a formidable reputation and client base within these sectors.
Our work is split into three key areas:
IP strategy
- global IP protection and enforcement strategies
- IP audits of a company’s existing IP
- international freedom to operate
- brand and design clearance and advising on registration of rights
IP exploitation
- IP licensing, assignments, collaborations, R&D, technology transfers, joint ventures
- IP in corporate and finance transactions
IP dispute resolution
- pre-action advice on whether the use of technology, designs and/or brands infringe third party rights and practical steps to avoid legal proceedings
- IP litigation in the UK and cross-border litigation, alternative dispute resolution options
- opposition/revocation proceedings before the trade mark and patent registries
- domain and company name disputes
Chambers Review
Acts for market-leading brands in financial services, energy, fashion, life sciences and luxury goods. Powerful trade mark litigation offering and also recommended for licence agreements involving all core rights. Regularly instructed to assist with the coordination of IP disputes with parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. A leading destination for anti-counterfeiting and passing-off disputes.
According to one source, the team at Stephenson Harwood "recognised the commercial expediency and the need for pragmatism, providing good advice and risk assessment."
A client says: "They offer a very high degree of service and specialism in the field. They think of practical ways to apply their skills in a commercial environment."
Acted on the widely reported ‘purple’ and 'shape' cases for GlaxoSmithKline. The role involved cross-border trade mark and unfair competition litigation against Sandoz in relation to the colour of its inhalation product Airflusal Forspiro, and against Celon Pharma in relation to the shape of its inhalation product Salmex.
Eifion Morris is chief executive of the firm. He is best known as a litigator and handles disputes involving all core marks.
"Eifion is an incredibly perceptive lawyer and a fantastic litigator for international IP matters – he is always a pleasure to work with and definitely a lawyer you want on your side."
Alexandra Pygall's IP practice has an impressive ambit, taking in commercial agreements and also disputes concerning all core rights and also non-traditional trade marks. She represents a varied client base of household names in industries such as fashion, children's toys, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods.
"She has a keen intelligence but is also intensely personable. She brings a strong overview to a case." "She is absolutely fantastic, and her IP advice links in well with our corporate strategy."
Ranked Lawyers at
Stephenson Harwood LLP
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP
Head of Department
Eibhlin Vardy
Head of Department
Mark Kramer
Rob Jacob